SRSG Kubiš welcomes confirmation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, urges early confirmation of the full Council of Ministers, and expresses concern at the lack of female representation among ministers

Baghdad, 25 October 2018 – Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Ján Kubiš, has welcomed the formal confirmation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, and expressed appreciation of the efforts of outgoing Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi throughout the last parliamentary term. He also welcomed the Council of Representatives’ endorsement of the government programme and the partial formation of the new Council of Ministers, although he has voiced deep concern at the lack of any female representation among ministers announced thus far.

“I welcome the partial formation of the new cabinet of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, and congratulate the people of Iraq on achieving this important step in their democratic transformation. I do hope that this process will be completed as soon as possible,” SRSG Kubiš said.

“I also take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the outgoing Prime Minister, Haider Al-Abadi, and his government under whose leadership Da’esh was defeated and the unity of Iraq was re-established, and Iraq started to assume its traditional place in the region and in the Arab world through expanded cooperation with all its neighbors and the international community”.

“I reiterate that the new Government should work hard to meet the aspirations and expectations of the Iraqi people, in consolidating security and law and order; in delivering on public services; in rejuvenating the country’s economy to create job opportunities for the increasingly young population; and in providing for the return of IDPs and reconstruction. Such a government, working in full respect of a Constitution that guarantees the rights and equality of all Iraqi citizens, can provide for a stable and prosperous future in a united, federal, democratic and sovereign Iraq. In this context, I am pleased at the Council of Representatives’ endorsement of the government programme,” SRSG Kubiš said.

“I am disappointed, however, about the lack of representation thus far of women in the new Cabinet. There are excellent, well qualified and experienced females active in the political life, professional positions and civil society of Iraq who would be strong candidates for many of the ministerial roles; ignoring their potential is to miss important opportunities for Iraq”, SRSG Kubiš noted.